{"id":22666,"date":"2024-08-07T05:00:59","date_gmt":"2024-08-07T09:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sincerelymariedesigns.com\/?p=22666"},"modified":"2024-08-07T09:34:52","modified_gmt":"2024-08-07T13:34:52","slug":"loving-your-home-in-a-culture-of-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sincerelymariedesigns.com\/loving-your-home-in-a-culture-of-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Loving Your Home in a Culture of More"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to find inspiration for normal homes. The current culture seems to be focused on the bigger & better. Today we’ll discuss loving your home in a culture of more. <\/em><\/h3>\n

Wow, it’s been a moment since I shared anything here. I have thoroughly loved my time away, but I’ve been itching to get back. I’ve been in a world of bottles and diapers and sleepless nights since September. Audrey is 10 months old now and I think it’s time I get back to one of my old loves, blogging! <\/p>\n

The last few months have a been wild, friends. My son is 11 years old, so having another little one this many years later has taught my husband and I so many things. These days are precious and few. We’ve been soaking in every ounce we can. Time flies, especially while you’re busy living. Josh and I have become acutely aware of our age. 40 is getting closer and closer and boy does 10 years make a difference when having children. Hopefully, Audrey will keep us young.<\/p>\n

While on my baby sabbatical I had many late nights to think, and I came to a few conclusions. Here goes:<\/p>\n

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  1. Social media can actually drain the life out of you, and I haven’t found it to be very full filling. (Probably not the most popular opinion.)<\/li>\n
  2. I love my home! I love MOST of my decorating decisions and although it’s far from perfect, home is my favorite place to be. <\/li>\n
  3. I need to exercise more contentment and be grateful, no matter the season, for this wonderful home God has provided.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What I’ve been kicking around in my head these last few months all comes back to these three points. While being forced to slow down, to halt any home projects, to sit and just care for baby and myself, I realized that there is no other place I love to be more than my home. By decorating with timeless pieces and mementos from our travels, we’ve created a collected style<\/a> and a place that doesn’t need to be updated with every trend. It’s a true reflection of us as a family and where we’ve been. <\/p>\n

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    While sitting with my thoughts and really meditating on this subject, it really hit home to me that culture and social media can make us feel and think the opposite. Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t think that most “influencers” intentionally try to create discontentment for their followers or push a narrative that you have to constantly purchase new things to keep up with ever-changing trends. I do, however, think that it’s the natural outcome for many, including myself at times.<\/p>\n

    I was amazed when I started to tell family and friends that we were expecting baby number two and I was asked three times within a week if we were going to move into a larger home. Each time the question was asked I was completely taken aback. We had never even considered this. In my eyes our home is the perfect size for us. We’ve always found it to be completely cozy with room to spread out. That question really got me thinking of just where this notion that we need to constantly be moving to bigger and “better” comes from. <\/p>\n

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    Lately every time I browse Instagram or Pinterest, I can’t help but to notice the lack of “normal” homes. Every influencer or designer seems to be moving onto bigger and bigger homes, setting higher and more expensive expectations for design. It seems that every post has become its own mini commercial for a product or products that will instantly change our lives. They lean on the idea that our homes won’t be cozy or stylish without them. I for one am exhausted from it all. It’s this culture that has had me evaluating what’s important and what is a distraction and ultimately a detriment to real contentment. <\/p>\n

    We live in a world where so many people are on autopilot. I’ve realized that living each day with intention is so important. It’s so easy to get swept up in the consumer culture. It’s easy to get hyper focused on trends and feel the need to keep up with each one. It\u2019s such a trap! It really takes disciple and intention to safeguard our joy and contentment. Much of social media has become a constant barrage of consuming and packing up and moving to larger and fancier homes.<\/p>\n

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    I’ve been extremely hesitant to write this post. While I’ve never considered myself an influencer, the irony is not lost on me. It’s true that this blog of mine is centered around the idea of creating and improving our homes, but when a creative love and desire to improve our spaces starts to breed discontentment and envy, it’s time to take a step back. I was born in the 80’s and know that keeping up with the Jones’ existed then as well. Magazines, television shows and Hollywood culture were the culprits. However, social media has taken it to an entirely new level. I recently read a study that found that 50% of millennials have a shopping addiction and do not provide themselves any time to sleep on it before they purchase an item online. That percentage is extremely high but not shocking. While Instagram and Pinterest serve as a well of inspiration and a place to connect with other design enthusiasts, it can also create unrealistic expectations and standards. <\/p>\n

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    Your Home is Enough<\/em><\/h4>\n

    If you’re feeling the fatigue and frustration of social media as well, here’s my suggestions for falling in love with your home & not falling for the \u201cmore\u201d culture. <\/p>\n